Preparation for Long Distance Travel

[rangerwvu]

Hey everyone! Have a question re: travel. We typically take our annual vacation in October. It involves a 12 hour flight, 14 hours if you take into consideration the one connection we usually have (the direct flight ticket is WAY more expensive). Just wondering about anything folks may do to prep for this type of travel...for some reason, my anxiety re: this flight(s) is really high. It is due to concern I will have a seizure during the flight I think...I had a break through seizure, complex partial that evolved into a tonic clonic which is really rare for me. A tonic clonic has not happened in years.

Having auruas on the flight would be one thing, having a complex partial would be another. When I have those, for some reason I MUST lay down, typically on the floor...since I am 6.2, laying in a row of 2 airplance seats really wont work, plus for some reason I usually have a stong desire/need to lay on the floor. Perhaps some innate reaction that it seems safer than potentially falling off of a bed or couch? The planes we are on usually have a middle row of 3 or even 5 seats so that would be an option I suppose, but can you imagine having to ask folks if they would please move for a while so I can lay down as I am very likely going to have a seizure? I am certain my partner would have no problem doing just that, so I guess I have to own that this is prob my issue only. I really would rather lay on the floor in the 'galley' as disgusting as that sounds. I am lucky in that to date, I have always had 'warning' auras so that would give me 'preparation' options.

Another thing, is an airline required to 'turn around' or divert to another airport if they are closer to it than the destination airport if you have a major tonic clonic or something? Do not think so, guess I could check with airline but afraid I would be put on some 'no fly' list or something! LOL! This really comes to mind as during my complex partials I cannot stand, sit up nor can I see or speak (would be non-responive to crew even though I can hear people). so if they think I am dying or something, regardless of what my partner says, what would that whole 'divert flight due to passenger medical emergency' thing happen...? UGH! Can you tell that I am letting myself get really crazy with this?

Currently, my seizures seem to be well controlled again, but wondering if recent stress that has went up at work as well as the stress/worry about the flight will 'bring one on'. Ok, I have went on and on, sorry about that....any ideas would be appreciated.

[rangerwvu]

The 'break through' complex partial that evolved to a tonic clonic seizure I had occd in March of this year...

[Cint]

Ranger,

I have complex partial and tonic clonic seizures also and used to be married to a pilot, so we flew a lot. I only had one complex partial seizure at an airport in the restroom, so it wasn't really that big of a deal for me. Several times I have had complex partial seizures when we arrived at the hotel, or the following day. We've flown several times over the Atlantic, and so far (knock on wood) I haven't had a seizure on the plane. I think by you worrying about it and getting "worked up" over it could certainly bring one on.

And to help and inform you, here is a website pertaining to seizures on planes:

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/firstaid_airplanes

You can also tell the airlines when you make the reservations about your seizure disorder, just so they will be informed in case anything happens. I've never said anything to the airlines. I just wear my medic alert bracelet. As long as some one was with me, I didn't feel the need to alert them.

[Endless]

Hi, Rangerwu,

Here's a link to a web page that gives details about your legal rights, and some tips for airplane travel: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/li.../airtravel.cfm

I have simple and complex partials, and not too long ago took a vacation that involved 22 hours of flight each way. Whew! I had one complex partial but was buckled in, and some simples. This was before my diagnosis and I was just extremely puzzled about it all.

It's your choice whether you tell the airline personnel in advance about your condition and any accomodations you may need. If it were me, I'd ask to sit by a bulkhead. they have room for you to lay down on the floor with only your legs in the isle, and your companion or others don't have to get up out of their seats. If you do this you need to tell them when you book your flight so they assign you and your companion those seats.

Good luck, and HAVE FUN!!!!

[rangerwvu]

Endless, THANK YOU! Great idea that I would never have thought of....it actually reduced my stress just having it as a potential option! Thinking it would be worth telling them if it can result in much less stress and a pretty good option if a seizure were to hit.

[Endless]

You are welcome! Make sure you tell them you need to sit BEHIND the bulkhead, not in front of it.

You know those seats in front of the bulkhead - they are the ones with cramped legroom and the seats don't lean back. The ones in back of the bulkhead have all that lucious triple legroom, with the seat trays that come out of the armrest. (and no seat in front of you to stash your carry on!)